Mental Health Research Grant is sponsored by Office for Health and Medical Research, NSW. Funds basic science and preclinical researchers working on new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness.

Targeted Call for Mental Health Research 2026 | NSW Government Targeted Call for Mental Health Research 2026 Mental Health Research Grants support researchers working on new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

Grant amount: Up to $1,000,000 Fund research that improves wellbeing and health outcomes Bridge the gap between research, policy and practice to increase research impact and translation This program is administered by NSW Health. Researchers who submit a complete application in the specified research area. Researchers based in NSW and employed by an eligible host/administering organisation for the duration of the grant.

Australian citizens, permanent residents and researchers who hold an appropriate visa for the full term of the grant. Researchers whose host organisation and administering organisation meet all the eligibility criteria specified in the grant guidelines. For more information, please refer to the grant guidelines .

Who the grant is targeted towards NSW-based researchers working on severe and persistent mental illness.

Clinicians, including medical, nursing, and allied health professionals Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers researchers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Types of projects funded under this grant Research proposals which focus on new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

What costs you can't apply for General maintenance costs Organisational infrastructure or overheads Telephone/ communication systems Basic office equipment such as desks and chairs Rent and the cost of utilities Funds awarded cannot be used to support research conducted outside of NSW Types of projects not funded under this grant Projects which do not meet the eligibility criteria listed in the Grant Guidelines including those which are not proposing new and emerging treatment approaches for severe and persistent mental illness, with a focus on basic science and pre-clinical research.

What your application needs to include Prepare your application with this checklist A completed application form with the supporting documentation attached Address the eligibility criteria Each applicant, as part of an application response, must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria. Applicants that do not address the eligibility criteria in full may be excluded from the application process at the department's discretion.

Address the assessment criteria Applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria based on the weighting below. More detail about the selection criteria is available in the grant guidelines.

Research project and team (65%) Download and read the grant guidelines Create an account with SmartyGrants Draft your application, including research protocol on the template provided in SmartyGrants Provide your Host Organisation and Administering Organisation with a copy of your application and obtain their approval (via signature on the certification template) Submit your application (and any supporting documents) in SmartyGrants After the application is submitted Successful applications will be decided by: Minister for Medical Research Step 1: Eligibility check Following the closing date for applications, NSW Health will determine if each application has satisfied the eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Review by expert panel An independent panel of expert reviewers will assess each eligible application against the selection criteria. Step 3: Funding recommendation The independent panel will agree on the final ranking of all eligible applications and will make recommendations for funding to NSW Health. Step 4: Decision and notification NSW Health will determine grant recipients and amounts.

All applicants will be informed as to whether they have been awarded funding. Step 5: Grant agreements and payment NSW Health will contact host/ administering organisation(s) for successful project(s) to execute a funding agreement. A standard, non-negotiable funding agreement will be used.

Office for Health and Medical Research,